"He makes unnecessary movements" – Giorgio Chiellini says Portugal star takes Cristiano Ronaldo 'out of the game', questions partnership
Ex-Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has claimed that Portugal forward Rafael Leao is not the ideal offensive partner for Cristiano Ronaldo due to his sub-par positioning.
Leao, 25, has started two outings for Portugal at the UEFA Euro 2024, featuring in 108 minutes of action so far. He is yet to score a goal or contribute an assist for his national team, playing on the left flank.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, started all three of A Selecao's Group Fgames at the Euro 2024. He has failed to net a single goal for Roberto Martinez's team but has laid out an assist to Bruno Fernandes.
Now, Chiellini has provided his thoughts on the Portugal captain's underwhelming displays at the ongoing continental tournament. The Los Angeles FC centre-back said (h/t dynamo.kiev.ua):
"In my opinion, Ronaldo looks more useful for the Portuguese national team than Gonçalo Ramos. However, Leao is not the best partner for Cristiano. He makes unnecessary movements that take him out of the game. [Diogo] Jota is much more functional because he can change positions with Cristiano. However, [Portugal] have Roberto Martinez. Whatever he chooses will be right."
Diogo Jota, 27, has managed just two substitute appearances for Martinez's team at the Euro 2024. The Liverpool forward featured in his team's 2-1 opening victory against Czech Republic before coming off the bench in a 2-0 loss against Georgia earlier on June 26.
Bernardo Silva sheds light on how Cristiano Ronaldo is dealing with Portugal's 2-0 loss
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is upset about Portugal's 2-0 Euro 2024 Group F defeat to Georgia earlier on Wednesday. He said (h/t ESPN):
"He doesn't like to lose, so he's still a bit upset. Obviously, all of us deal in different ways with the feelings and bad performances. As I said, it was a game we wanted to win. Even though we didn't win, we're still in good form to perform well in the last-16 [game]."
Silva, who has netted once in two games at the ongoing Euros, added:
"It's a tough tournament, no easy games for anyone. We were already qualified, but we still wanted to win. Not a good result for us, but we're still here, first in the group. We've got a tough game in the last-16 stage but we're very confident."
In A Selecao's recent 2-0 defeat, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze scored a goal each on either side of the half-time whistle.
Roberto Martinez's side will next be in action against Slovenia in their Euro 2024 last-16 clash in Frankfurt, Germany on Monday (July 1).